Labour ‘poised’ to offer apology to Panorama whistleblowers, report claims
A settlement between the Labour Party and its former employees is 'imminent', according to media reports
The Labour Party appears “poised” to offer a formal apology to the whistleblowers who appeared on an episode of Panorama last year.
According to a report in the Guardian, citing multiple sources, a settlement between the party and its former employees is “imminent.”
Media lawyer Mark Lewis, who declined to comment when approached by Jewish News, was instructed earlier this year to take legal action against the party on behalf of seven former staffers who appeared on the BBC documentary.
They accuse the Labour Party of making false libellous statements in their response to John Ware’s Panorama investigation, Is Labour Anti-Semitic?, broadcast last summer.
The programme contained allegations of interference within its disciplinary process by senior party figures – which were denied by the party at the time.
Meanwhile, the party has 28 days to respond to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s draft report investigating allegations of antisemitism.
“It is sent in confidence by the EHRC, so until that process is completed, it would be inappropriate to comment on any of the contents of the draft report – and we will not do so,” read a statement from the party on Monday.
“Tackling antisemitism within the Labour Party is a priority and we are determined to take the further action necessary to begin restoring trust with the Jewish community.
“We are committed to co-operating fully with the Commission’s investigation and implementing its recommendations when the final report is published.”
The Labour Party was approached for comment.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
